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Tournament of Champions (golf)

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The Tournament of Champions (known as The Sentry from 2024 to 2025) was a golf tournament played on the PGA Tour from 1953 to 2025. The tournament was played in Hawaii on the island of Maui.[2] From 1986 through 2013 and again from 2024 to 2025, it was the opening event of each tour season. For most of its history, the tournament field was restricted to golfers who won a tournament on the tour during the previous calendar year, but players who qualified for the preceding Tour Championship were later invited as well.[3][4] In 2025, Hideki Matsuyama shot the lowest 72-hole to-par score in the history of the PGA Tour (−35) to win the final edition of the tournament.

Tournament of Champions
Tournament information
LocationKapalua, Hawaii
Established1953
Course(s)Kapalua Resort
(Plantation Course)
Par73
Length7,596 yards (6,946 m)
Organized byPGA Tour[1]
TourPGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$20,000,000
Month playedJanuary
Final year2025
Tournament record score
Aggregate257 Hideki Matsuyama (2025)
To par−35[a] as above
Final champion
Japan Hideki Matsuyama
Location map
Kapalua Resort is located in Hawaii
Kapalua Resort
Kapalua Resort
Location in Hawaii

History

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The tournament is held during the first week of January and, since 1999, has been played over the Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort near Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Unlike most PGA Tour events, it is a par 73 course.

Previous venues have been the Desert Inn Country Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, from the event's inception until 1966, and the Stardust Country Club, also in Las Vegas, in 1967 and 1968. For the following thirty years, it was played at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California; it moved from May in 1985 to January in 1986, and relocated to Maui in 1999.

The tournament has had several title sponsors, the first being Mutual of New York (MONY) between 1975 and 1990. After three years of sponsorship by Infiniti, German car maker Mercedes-Benz began a sixteen-year association with the event and the Tournament of Champions name was dropped. In 2010 the tournament entered a new ten-year agreement with Korean broadcasting company Seoul Broadcasting System, with the tournament being renamed as the SBS Championship.[3] Hyundai took over title sponsorship in 2011 with SBS remaining a sponsor.[5] In 2017, SBS became title sponsor again after Hyundai took over title sponsorship of the PGA Tour event at Riviera Country Club.[6] Sentry Insurance signed on as the event's title sponsor with a five-year agreement starting in 2018,[7] later extended through 2030.[8]

From 2012 to 2015, the tournament used a Friday–Monday format, joining the Deutsche Bank Championship as the only two PGA Tour events with this format. The format allowed the tournament to have its own day to finish, and not compete against the second day of the NFL Wild Card Playoff round.

For the 2021 tournament, the PGA Tour announced that the field would be expanded to include the 30 players qualifying for the 2020 Tour Championship in addition to tournament winners during the 2020 calendar year. The change was made following the cancellation of ten tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] The 2022 edition reverted to the usual winners-only field, but the addition of Tour Championship qualifiers was made permanent in 2023.[4] The tournament had a name change for 2024 as a result, dropping the traditional Tournament of Champions name again. For the 2025 tournament, The Sentry will be an official Signature Event. By rule, the 50 players who qualified for the 2024 BMW Championship, in addition to all winner of the previous year, are eligible. In addition, if a player who qualified for the BMW Championship is deemed not in good standing and ineligible to participate on the PGA Tour, the 51st place player in FedEx Cup standings will be elevated, and so forth.

In September 2025, the PGA Tour announced that the tournament would not be played at its traditional venue, the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Maui, for the 2026 season. The decision was made citing ongoing drought conditions, water conservation mandates, compromised agronomic conditions, and logistical challenges.[10][11] In October, the tour announced the cancellation of the 2026 event, and that all winners during the 2025 season would instead be invited to the RBC Heritage in April.[12]

On April 20, 2026, the PGA Tour announced that the tournament, along with the Sony Open in Hawaii, would no longer be part of the season schedule moving forward, officially ending the tournament after 73 editions.[13]

Television

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While being played at LaCosta, the weekend rounds were traditionally televised by ABC Sports. However, after moving to Hawaii in 1999, the time difference was not conducive to network television. The event moved to ABC's cable partner ESPN for four-round coverage. In 2007, the event moved to four-round coverage on the Golf Channel. In 2012, NBC Sports began showing weekend play, while also producing the new Monday final round for sister network Golf Channel. Starting in 2018, Thursday–Sunday coverage split between Golf Channel and NBC, with the latter picking up weekend coverage when not in conflict with the network's broadcasts of NFL playoff games.[14]

Winners

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YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)
The Sentry
2026Canceled[b]
2025Japan Hideki Matsuyama257−353 strokesUnited States Collin Morikawa3,600,000
2024United States Chris Kirk263−291 strokeUnited States Sahith Theegala3,600,000
Sentry Tournament of Champions
2023Spain Jon Rahm265−272 strokesUnited States Collin Morikawa 2,700,000
2022Australia Cameron Smith258−341 strokeSpain Jon Rahm1,476,000
2021United States Harris English267−25PlayoffChile Joaquín Niemann1,340,000
2020United States Justin Thomas (2)278−14PlayoffUnited States Patrick Reed
United States Xander Schauffele		1,340,000
2019United States Xander Schauffele269−231 strokeUnited States Gary Woodland1,300,000
2018United States Dustin Johnson (2)268−248 strokesSpain Jon Rahm1,260,000
SBS Tournament of Champions
2017United States Justin Thomas270−223 strokesJapan Hideki Matsuyama1,220,000
Hyundai Tournament of Champions
2016United States Jordan Spieth262−308 strokesUnited States Patrick Reed1,180,000
2015United States Patrick Reed271−21PlayoffUnited States Jimmy Walker1,140,000
2014United States Zach Johnson273−191 strokeUnited States Jordan Spieth1,140,000
2013United States Dustin Johnson203[c]−164 strokesUnited States Steve Stricker1,140,000
2012United States Steve Stricker269−233 strokesScotland Martin Laird1,120,000
2011United States Jonathan Byrd268−24PlayoffUnited States Robert Garrigus1,120,000
SBS Championship
2010Australia Geoff Ogilvy (2)270−221 strokeSouth Africa Rory Sabbatini1,120,000
Mercedes-Benz Championship
2009Australia Geoff Ogilvy268−246 strokesUnited States Anthony Kim
United States Davis Love III		1,120,000
2008Sweden Daniel Chopra274−18PlayoffUnited States Steve Stricker1,100,000
2007Fiji Vijay Singh278−142 strokesAustralia Adam Scott1,100,000
Mercedes Championships
2006Australia Stuart Appleby (3)284−8PlayoffFiji Vijay Singh1,080,000
2005Australia Stuart Appleby (2)271−211 strokeUnited States Jonathan Kaye1,060,000
2004Australia Stuart Appleby270−221 strokeFiji Vijay Singh1,060,000
2003South Africa Ernie Els261−318 strokesSouth Korea K. J. Choi
United States Rocco Mediate		1,000,000
2002Spain Sergio García274−18PlayoffUnited States David Toms720,000
2001United States Jim Furyk274−181 strokeSouth Africa Rory Sabbatini630,000
2000United States Tiger Woods (2)276−16PlayoffSouth Africa Ernie Els522,000
1999United States David Duval266−269 strokesUnited States Mark O'Meara
United States Billy Mayfair		468,000
1998United States Phil Mickelson (2)271−171 strokeUnited States Mark O'Meara
United States Tiger Woods		306,000
1997United States Tiger Woods202[c]−14PlayoffUnited States Tom Lehman216,000
1996United States Mark O'Meara271−173 strokesEngland Nick Faldo
United States Scott Hoch		180,000
1995Australia Steve Elkington (2)278−10PlayoffUnited States Bruce Lietzke180,000
1994United States Phil Mickelson276−12PlayoffUnited States Fred Couples180,000
Infiniti Tournament of Champions
1993United States Davis Love III272−161 strokeUnited States Tom Kite144,000
1992Australia Steve Elkington279−9PlayoffUnited States Brad Faxon144,000
1991United States Tom Kite (2)272−161 strokeUnited States Lanny Wadkins144,000
MONY Tournament of Champions
1990United States Paul Azinger272−161 strokeAustralia Ian Baker-Finch135,000
1989United States Steve Jones279−93 strokesSouth Africa David Frost
United States Jay Haas		135,000
1988United States Steve Pate202[c]−141 strokeUnited States Larry Nelson90,000
1987United States Mac O'Grady278−101 strokeUnited States Rick Fehr90,000
1986United States Calvin Peete267−216 strokesUnited States Mark O'Meara90,000
1985United States Tom Kite275−136 strokesUnited States Mark McCumber72,000
1984United States Tom Watson (3)274−145 strokesUnited States Bruce Lietzke72,000
1983United States Lanny Wadkins (2)280−81 strokeUnited States Raymond Floyd72,000
1982United States Lanny Wadkins280−83 strokesUnited States Andy Bean
Australia David Graham
United States Craig Stadler
United States Ron Streck		63,000
1981United States Lee Trevino273−152 strokesUnited States Raymond Floyd54,000
1980United States Tom Watson (2)276−123 strokesUnited States Jim Colbert54,000
1979United States Tom Watson275−136 strokesUnited States Bruce Lietzke
United States Jerry Pate		54,000
1978South Africa Gary Player (2)281−72 strokesUnited States Andy North
United States Lee Trevino		45,000
1977United States Jack Nicklaus (5)281−7PlayoffUnited States Bruce Lietzke45,000
1976United States Don January (2)277−115 strokesUnited States Hubert Green45,000
1975United States Al Geiberger277−11PlayoffSouth Africa Gary Player40,000
Tournament of Champions
1974United States Johnny Miller280−81 strokeUnited States Buddy Allin
United States John Mahaffey		40,000
1973United States Jack Nicklaus (4)276−121 strokeUnited States Lee Trevino40,000
1972United States Bobby Mitchell280−8PlayoffUnited States Jack Nicklaus33,000
1971United States Jack Nicklaus (3)279−98 strokesAustralia Bruce Devlin
South Africa Gary Player
United States Dave Stockton		33,000
1970United States Frank Beard (2)273−157 strokesUnited States Billy Casper
England Tony Jacklin
South Africa Gary Player		30,000
1969South Africa Gary Player284−42 strokesUnited States Lee Trevino30,000
1968United States Don January276−81 strokeUnited States Julius Boros30,000
1967United States Frank Beard278−61 strokeUnited States Arnold Palmer20,000
1966United States Arnold Palmer (3)283−5PlayoffUnited States Gay Brewer20,000
1965United States Arnold Palmer (2)277−112 strokesUnited States Chi-Chi Rodríguez14,000
1964United States Jack Nicklaus (2)279−92 strokesUnited States Al Geiberger
United States Doug Sanders		12,000
1963United States Jack Nicklaus273−155 strokesUnited States Tony Lema
United States Arnold Palmer		13,000
1962United States Arnold Palmer276−121 strokeUnited States Billy Casper11,000
1961United States Sam Snead273−157 strokesUnited States Tommy Bolt10,000
1960United States Jerry Barber268−204 strokesUnited States Jay Hebert10,000
1959United States Mike Souchak281−72 strokesUnited States Art Wall Jr.10,000
1958Canada Stan Leonard275−131 strokeUnited States Billy Casper10,000
1957United States Gene Littler (3)285−33 strokesUnited States Billy Casper
United States Jimmy Demaret
United States Dow Finsterwald
United States Billy Maxwell		10,000
1956United States Gene Littler (2)281−74 strokesUnited States Cary Middlecoff10,000
1955United States Gene Littler280−813 strokesUnited States Jerry Barber
United States Pete Cooper
United States Bob Toski		10,000
1954United States Art Wall Jr.278−106 strokesUnited States Al Besselink
United States Lloyd Mangrum		10,000
1953United States Al Besselink280−81 strokeUnited States Chandler Harper10,000

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.

Tournament highlights

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  • 1953: Al Besselink wins the inaugural Tournament of Champions (TOC) by one shot over Chandler Harper.[17]
  • 1955: Gene Littler is victorious at the TOC for the first time. He wins by 13 shots over Pete Cooper, Jerry Barber, and Bob Toski.[18]
  • 1957: For the third consecutive year, Gene Littler is victorious at the TOC. He finishes three shots ahead of Billy Casper, Jimmy Demaret, Dow Finsterwald, and Billy Maxwell.[19]
  • 1959: Mike Souchak wins by two shots over Art Wall Jr. in spite of his shooting a final round 77.[20]
  • 1960: Jerry Barber shoots 268, a TOC tournament mark for its time in Las Vegas, four shots ahead of Jay Hebert.[21]
  • 1962: Arnold Palmer earns his first TOC title. He birdies the 72nd hole to finish one shot ahead of Billy Casper.[22]
  • 1963: Jack Nicklaus wins the TOC for the first time. He finishes five shots ahead of Tony Lema and Arnold Palmer.[23]
  • 1966: Arnold Palmer successfully defends his TOC title by defeating Gay Brewer 69 to 73 in an 18-hole playoff. For Brewer, it's his second 18-hole playoff loss in a week. In the tournament prior to the TOC, The 1966 Masters Tournament, Brewer was defeated by Jack Nicklaus.[24]
  • 1967: Frank Beard prevents Arnold Palmer from winning a third straight TOC. He holes a seven-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to win by one shot over Palmer.[25]
  • 1969: Gary Player wins in the United States for the first time since his 1965 U.S. Open triumph. He finishes two shots ahead of Lee Trevino.[26]
  • 1972: Bobby Mitchell wins the TOC with a twenty-foot (6 m) birdie putt on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff with Jack Nicklaus.[27]
  • 1973: Jack Nicklaus wins the TOC for a fourth time, one stroke ahead of Lee Trevino.[28]
  • 1977: Jack Nicklaus collects his fifth and final TOC title with a birdie at the third hole of a sudden-death playoff to defeat Bruce Lietzke.[29]
  • 1978: Just like the week previous at Masters, Gary Player comes back from seven shots behind to win, two shots ahead of Andy North and Lee Trevino.[30]
  • 1980: Tom Watson wins by three shots over Jim Colbert. The original margin of victory was five shots but Watson was penalized two shots by tour officials after he was overheard giving advice to his playing partner Lee Trevino.[31]
  • 1981: Lee Trevino earns his first PGA Tour victory in California, two strokes ahead of Raymond Floyd.[32]
  • 1982: Ron Streck comes to the 72nd hole tied with Lanny Wadkins but three-putts to seemingly lose by one shot. After play is finished, Streck is assessed a two-shot penalty for moving a tree branch in his face on the 70th hole. The penalty drops Streck into a four-way tie for second along with Andy Bean, David Graham, and Craig Stadler and costs him over $14,000 in prize money.[33]
  • 1985: Tom Kite shoots a first round 64 on his way to a six-shot triumph over Mark McCumber.[34]
  • 1986: Calvin Peete shoots a tournament record 267 and finishes six shots ahead of Mark O'Meara.[35]
  • 1991: Tom Kite wins his second TOC after Lanny Wadkins three-putts the 71st green from just eighteen feet (5.5 m).[36]
  • 1995: Steve Elkington birdies the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to defeat Bruce Lietzke.[37] During the final round, 54-hole leader John Huston putted his ball into a lake.[38]
  • 1997: Tiger Woods, the PGA Player of the Year for 1997, birdies the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to defeat Tom Lehman.[39]
  • 1999: David Duval wins the first edition of the tournament played in Hawaii, nine shots ahead of Mark O'Meara and Billy Mayfair.[40]
  • 2000: Tiger Woods wins his fifth consecutive PGA Tour event. He sinks a forty-foot (12 m) birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to beat Ernie Els.[41]
  • 2003: Ernie Els shoots a tournament record 261 on his way to an eight-shot victory over Rocco Mediate and K. J. Choi.[42]
  • 2006: Stuart Appleby defeats Vijay Singh on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff and joins Gene Littler as the only winners of the tournament for three consecutive years.[43]
  • 2010: Geoff Ogilvy successfully defends his tournament title, one stroke ahead of Rory Sabbatini.[44]
  • 2025: Hideki Matsuyama set the record for the lowest 72-hole score with a 35 under par. During the final round at the fifth hole, Taylor Pendrith made the first albatross in event history.[45]

Notes

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  1. ↑ PGA Tour scoring record to par.
  2. ↑ In September 2025, the PGA Tour announced that The Sentry would not take place at its usual venue, the Kapalua Resort in Hawaii, due to a drought and a water dispute with the Maui Land & Pineapple Company that left the golf course in poor condition.[15] In October 2025, the PGA Tour announced that the event would be canceled, with players who were tournament winners in 2025 and did not finish inside the Top 50 of the FedEx Cup, eligible to play in the RBC Heritage instead.[16]
  3. 1 2 3 Shortened to 54 holes due to weather.

References

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  1. ↑ Lum, Curtis (September 9, 2011). "PGA Tour takes over Maui's 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions". Pacific Business News.
  2. ↑ "Fall Series events to offer full FedExCup points". PGA Tour. June 26, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "SBS to sponsor season-opening event through 2019". PGA Tour. May 7, 2009. Archived from the original on June 4, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Sentry extends as title sponsor of Tournament of Champions through 2035". PGA Tour. August 23, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Hyundai taking over sponsorship at Kapalua". PGA Tour. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original on June 4, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Hyundai Ends Sponsorship of Tournament of Champions". Maui Now. January 21, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Tournament of Champions getting a new sponsor for 2018 event". CBS Sports. August 16, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Sentry extends as title sponsor of Tournament of Champions thru 2030". PGA Tour. December 31, 2019. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Eligibility criteria added to 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions". PGA Tour. Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  10. ↑ "The Sentry won't be played on Maui in 2026 amid drought conditions". Reuters. September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  11. ↑ "The PGA Tour announces The Sentry will not be contested at Kapalua in 2026". PGA Tour. September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  12. ↑ "PGA Tour announces The Sentry will not be contested in 2026". PGA Tour. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  13. ↑ Beall, Joel (April 20, 2026). "PGA Tour leaving Hawaii, as former Tournament of Champions and Sony Open off schedule". Golf Digest. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  14. ↑ "How to watch Sentry Tournament of Champions, Round 1: Tee times, live leaderboard, TV times". PGA Tour. January 6, 2021.
  15. ↑ "PGA Tour announces The Sentry will not be contested at Kapalua in 2026". PGA Tour. September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  16. ↑ Harig, Bob (October 22, 2025). "PGA Tour Makes Tough Decision About 2026 Season Opener". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Besselink Captures Tournament of Champions by Stroke". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 27, 1953. p. Sports-28.
  18. ↑ "Gene Littler easy tourney champ". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan. Associated Press. May 2, 1955. p. 19 – via Google News Archive.
  19. ↑ "Littler Captures Third Tourney Of Champions". St. Petersburg Times. Florida. Associated Press. April 22, 1957. p. 14 – via Google News Archive.
  20. ↑ "Souchak Beats Wall by 2 Strokes to Win Tournament of Champions". Wilkes-Barre Record. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. April 27, 1959. p. 15 – via newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Jerry Barber tops champions". The Bend Bulletin. Oregon. Associated Press. May 9, 1960. p. 2 – via Google News Archive.
  22. ↑ "Arnold Palmer Does It Again". The News-Dispatch. Jeanette, Pennsylvania. United Press International. May 7, 1962. p. 8 – via Google News Archive.
  23. ↑ "Jack Loafs to Victory at 'Vegas'". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. May 6, 1963. p. 11 – via Google News Archive.
  24. ↑ "Palmer Moves to Second in $ Race: Collects $20,000 in Tournament Of Champions Playoff". The Latrobe Bulletin. Pennsylvania. United Press International. April 19, 1966. p. 14 – via newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "Frank Beard Wins Tourney On Final Hole". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. April 17, 1967. p. 8 – via Google News Archive.
  26. ↑ "Gary Nabs Champions". Ocala Star-Banner. Florida. Associated Press. April 22, 1969. p. 8 – via Google News Archive.
  27. ↑ "Mitchell Snatches Tournament Of Champions Purse From Jack". The Press-Courier. Oxnard, California. Associated Press. April 24, 1972. p. 14 – via Google News Archive.
  28. ↑ St. Amant, Joe (April 23, 1973). "Jack Wins Title". Times-Union. Warsaw, Indiana. United Press International. p. 11 – via Google News Archive.
  29. ↑ Cour, Jim (April 18, 1977). "Nicklaus Takes Fifth Champions". The Galveston Daily News. Texas. United Press International. p. 1-B – via newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Player Does It Again, Charges To T Of C Victory". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. April 17, 1978. p. C-2 – via Google News Archive.
  31. ↑ "Penalty Assessment Watson Survives". The Daily Gleaner. Fredericton, New Brunswick. Associated Press. April 21, 1980. p. 19 – via newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ Spander, Art (April 20, 1981). "Trevino tops Floyd in stretch". San Francisco Examiner. p. F5 – via newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ "Misfortune hits Streck; Wadkins wins". The Saginaw News. Michigan. United Press International. April 19, 1982. p. D3 – via newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ Green, Bob (May 6, 1985). "Kite Front-Running Victor In Tournament Of Champions". Schenectady Gazette. New York. Associated Press. p. 32 – via Google News Archive.
  35. ↑ "Peete Takes 6-Stroke Victory In Tournament of Champions". The Press-Courier. Oxnard, California. Associated Press. January 12, 1986. p. 25 – via Google News Archive.
  36. ↑ Diaz, Jaime (January 7, 1991). "Kite, With a Final 69, Outlasts Wadkins". The New York Times. p. C-4.
  37. ↑ "Elkington wins Mercedes event". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. Associated Press. January 9, 1995. p. 7a – via Google News Archive.
  38. ↑ Peters, Ken (January 9, 1995). "Putt into lake costs Huston crown". The Vindicator. Youngstown, Ohio. Associated Press. p. C3 – via Google News Archive.
  39. ↑ "Woods wins Mercedes playoff". The Item. Sumter, South Carolina. January 13, 1997. p. 3B – via Google News Archive.
  40. ↑ "Duval cruises to Mercedes victory". The Item. Sumter, South Carolina. January 10, 1999. p. 2B – via Google News Archive.
  41. ↑ "With 40-Foot Putt in Playoff, Woods Matches Hogan's Streak". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 10, 2000. p. D-1.
  42. ↑ Brown, Clifton (January 13, 2003). "Tour Scoring Record Starts Els's Season Right". The New York Times. p. D-2.
  43. ↑ "Appleby claims third straight Mercedes Championship". ESPN. Associated Press. January 8, 2006.
  44. ↑ "Ogilvy bests Sabbatini by one stroke". ESPN. Associated Press. January 10, 2010.
  45. ↑ Ferguson, Doug (January 5, 2024). "Hideki Matsuyama has record-setting start to the PGA Tour season with victory at Kapalua". Associated Press News. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
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